New Hope Church

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. —I Kings 19:3-5 And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” —I Kings 19:9              Elijah just saw our Lord work powerfully on Mount Carmel (I Kings 18:16) and when the people saw this “they fell…

The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’’ —Acts 11:9              What our Lord makes clean is clean!  Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:3-4).  Again, it is said that “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her…

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”  So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. —I Kings 17:3-6 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” —I Kings 17:9              …

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”  Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.  The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is…

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. —Acts 9:31              This Word from God is a great encouragement.  The church not only grows through persecution, but here we see that God also strengthens, encourages and increases His church when enjoying “a time of peace.”  The key in this verse for the church to increase is that it is “living in the fear of the Lord.”  “Luke records that “a sense of awe came over everyone” (Acts 2:43) and again that “fear came upon the…

My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.  But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. —Psalm 131:1-2              Pride has “I” in the middle, is self-focused and does not exalt the Lord.  In Romans 12:3-8 we read— “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each…

When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.  She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your…

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. —Acts 8:4 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. —Acts 8:12              Here we see the Great Co-Mission being applied.  When a great persecution broke out, led by Saul, believers were scattered.  “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”  Isn’t that what we should be about as well wherever we are?  As we are faithful to what Jesus has commanded us, to be witness and make disciples (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:16-20), fruit will…

Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.  What kind of house will you build for me?  says the Lord.  Or where will my resting place be?  Has not my hand made all these things? —Acts 7:49-50              This is truly astounding as we think of our Creator living in those who have called on Jesus (Ephesians 1:13-14; I Corinthians 6:19-20).  He is so grand and so awesome.  How can the Eternal reside in the temporal?  But He does!  Of the Holy Spirit Jesus said, “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and…

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. —Psalm 127:4-5              We had a family gathering this past weekend with my daughter, Hannah, and her family.  It is truly amazing when you watch the children of your children.  Elaine and I have surely been blessed by our Lord—“May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.”  Yes, we were able to enjoy our grandchildren whether in New York or in New Hampshire.  I so enjoyed seeing my children and grandchildren having fun together and for all of us to gather to be with the church on…